49ers power home over Steelers

The San Francisco 49ers produced an inspired defensive performance to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-3 in the NFL on Monday.

After two delays due to power failure at Candlestick Park – one before kick-off which delayed the match for 35 minutes and another during the second quarter – the 49ers recorded an excellent win that saw their season record move to 11 wins and three losses.

The victory saw them move ahead of the New Orleans Saints (11-3) thanks to a tie-breaker advantage in NFC games, which sees San Francisco hold the number two place in potential NFC seedings at this stage.

A pair of David Akers field goals saw the 49ers lead 6-0 at half-time and although Pittsburgh responded with a field goal of their own early in the third quarter, the 49ers went one better and scored a touchdown through Vernon Davis.

Another touchdown – this time from Frank Gore – early in the fourth quarter handed San Francisco a 17-point lead before they cruised home to victory.

The loss saw Pittsburgh’s season record drop to 10 wins and four losses.